Teen feared film about her life would spark racist backlash

A powerful five-minute film released this week charts the journey of Caitlin Faye Maniti (pictured) to become ISSU president and how she overcame her fears of isolation and racism to win her seat. Picture courtesy of GEN E/Spunout.ie

The president of the Irish Second-Level Students' Union said she feared a backlash after the airing of a film which highlights some of the racism she has experienced.

Caitlin Faye Maniti, from Donegal, was born in the Philippines and moved to Ireland with her parents  when she was four years old. The 19-year-old was elected as head of the secondary school body — which is a union led by students — last year and she took office in July.